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Spurs: Ginobili might miss Olympics with ankle injury

Web Posted: 06/18/2008 04:12 PM CDT

Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News

For the first time, Spurs officials have expressed grave concern about injured guard Manu Ginobili’s plan to help Argentina defend its Olympic gold medal in Beijing later this summer.

Ginobili, who was hobbled by a jammed ankle during the Spurs’ playoff ouster against the Lakers in the Western Conference finals last month, has not seen much improvement in the joint since the season ended three weeks ago.

For that reason, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday he hopes Ginobili will give serious thought to sitting out the Summer Games.

“My concern is that it’s going to get worse,” Popovich said. “He’s got to seriously consider his health.”

Speaking to media in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, Ginobili acknowledged the injury was worse than previously believed, casting his ability to play in Beijing in doubt.

“I believe this puts in danger my chances at playing in the Olympic Games,” he told reporters there.

An MRI taken during the playoffs revealed a ligament in Ginobili’s left heel swollen to four to five times its normal size. Another MRI taken Monday revealed the swelling had not subsided, even though Ginobili had been off the ankle for nearly 21 days.

Ginobili will spend the next three weeks in a plastic boot meant to immobilize the ankle. If his condition hasn’t improved by the time it comes off, Ginobili will have a decision to make regarding his participation in the Olympics.

That decision rests with Ginobili alone. Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the Spurs cannot order Ginobili to skip the Olympics.

Easily the top basketball player in Argentina’s history, Ginobili said he hasn’t surrendered hope of healing in time to participate.

The Argentine team is slated to begin workouts July 4. The Olympic basketball competition is scheduled to open Aug. 9.“I am going to do everything possible, because I want to play,” Ginobili said.

Popovich, long a proponent of the international game, said he was sympathetic to Ginobili’s dilemma.

“He’s got to go back and live there (in Argentina) some day,” Popovich said. “But his bills get paid by his performance with the Spurs.”

Quite fine by me... not only for us, but Team USA, too

He just shouldn't play, as much as it means.

But it's a matter of pride for Manu, he desperatly wants to get out there and play for his country.
I hope he gets better in time.
Come on Manu!

i can really go either way with this. my respect for him will only grow if he decides to defend his gold medal. but i would be fine if he decides to sit out too.

I can see how representing your country would be a great honor, but he has to think about the team that's actually paying for his services. His priorities need to be with the Spurs, not the Argentinian national team.

I could understand if Arg got silver at the 2004 Games, and he wanted a chance to go for gold this time around, but he's already got that medal!

I think it's best for the team (SA) and his own health if he sits it out.

But this is the pinnacle of the game he plays. I'm sure that he'll not only take his health into account but also his position with the spurs. We have given him a lot of respect over the years and he'll do right by us.
But it's national duty, it's a privilege and an honor to represent your country If Team USA had the same determination that he did then they wouldn't have lost at Athens.
At the end of the day it's a game, you can through money and how teams are paying for him and the like but at the end of the day he is a well played sportsman can he is free to pursue his sport in any manner he chooses. Not only can we not legal force him to sit it out, but even if we pressured him, he wouldn't take it well and could likely show in his attitude towards our organization next year
If we respect him and his wishes he'll do the right thing by us.

He should definitely play. He's our best player and a second gold would make him a legend. You can say he already won it but he already has 3 rings too.

Calvin Klein wrote:He should definitely play. He's our best player and a second gold would make him a legend. You can say he already won it but he already has 3 rings too.

you Manu homers are funny..

Well what can you expect... Manu has every right to play for his country. I just hope he doesn't get hurt.